Sleep Can Help Fight Childhood Obesity

The risk of childhood obesity can be reduced with the proper amount of sleep each night

We all know how important sleep is so we can function throughout the day, but did you know it can also help kids fight obesity.

According to a new study done at the University of Chicago, sleep can help fight obesity. The study which was published in the journal “Pediatrics” analyzed 308 children ages 4 to 10. They wore wrist devices that monitored their sleep for 1 week.

Researchers found that those that had the most irregular sleep patterns had the highest risk for obesity. For one group, if they had irregular sleep patterns during the week, but caught up on sleep, they were able to lower the risk of obesity.

Those children that were already obese had the worst sleeping patterns during the week and did not make up any sleeping time over the weekend.

Children need an average of 9 to 10 hours of sleep every night. The average child in this study was only getting about 8 hours of sleep a night. The adult population is already sleep deprived and the children are already on the same road.

Parents need to make sure their kids are getting the right amount of sleep every night. Fighting obesity is just another reason to make sure they are getting it.